Finnforest focused on its engineered timber based construction solutions, all of which are aimed to help housebuilders and commercial developers meet and exceed Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) targets. Alongside its well-established Thermowood cladding and Finnframe Floor System, the company demonstrated its new Kerto-RIPA structural roof and floor panel and its Low Energy Wall.
As project engineer Andrew Skinner explained, Kerto-RIPA offers a fast-track commercial roofing or flooring solution. A Kerto Q panel is supported with Kerto S ribs to create either an open or closed box element. This technique creates a panel where a large roof void can provide extra space for additional insulation – and spans of up to 18m for roofs and 9m for floors are achievable.
Designed for the domestic housing market, but with potential for commercial applications, such as schools, the Low Energy Wall is a breathable wall system that uses Finnjoist studs, rather than traditional studs. “Using
I-joists reduces thermal bridging to a minimum and, as they are deeper than traditional studs, they can accommodate more insulation,” said Mr Skinner, adding that a finished external wall of under 300mm, incorporating a 200mm-deep Finnjoist, can achieve a U-value of 0.17W/m²K.
The stand itself was a Finnforest Kerto Portal frame comprising tapered Kerto S and Q sections. “The system can comfortably span up to 30m, so we’re looking at the agricultural and equestrian markets,” said Mr Skinner.
